Dec 16, 2007
BUSINESS:
Ridgefielder believes in practicing yoga early
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Ridgefield resident Suki Bagal knows the benefits of yoga. As an international public health doctor, she knows yoga burns fat, tones muscle, and stimulates internal organs. As a life-long practitioner of the discipline, Dr. Bagal can also speak firsthand of its influence on a person’s mind and heart.
“Yoga is a sanctuary that I clear for myself to have sense of calm around me… It can create a sustainable mindset and core values and habits,” she said.
Having practiced yoga since the age of nine in her native India, Dr. Bagal believes that “yoga is something that the earlier you learn it, the more long-term benefits you get.”
As such, she is now offering the children of Ridgefield an earlier shot at reaping those benefits.
Dr. Bagal’s program, Yoga for Kids, is currently offered on Thursday evenings from 5 to 6 at the Ridgefield School of Dance at 66 Grove Street. Targeted for children aged four to 12, the class is a “non-competitive and balanced environment” where kids are encouraged to “look within,” not at “who’s jumping highest or who runs the fastest.”
“Depending on what type of body each one has there’s always a starting point. Each student is doing what he or she can. The expectation is to grow and improve over a period of time,” she said.
Nancy Baldwin, director of the Ridgefield School of Dance and chairman of the Ridgefield Arts Council, said the philosophy behind Yoga for Kids was a perfect fit with her own philosophy on dance.
“I want my students to build upon their own skills and she feels exactly the same way,” Ms. Baldwin said of Dr. Bagal. Comparing yoga to modern dance, she said, “Yoga’s even more of an internalization… It’s an ageless concept.”
Indeed, yoga is ageless, at least at Yoga for Kids. And its benefits seem endless. Dr. Bagal is convinced that yoga helped her own four-year-old son, Bivek, overcome serious food allergies.
After beginning yoga, she said, “He’s a much better-balanced person.”
As Dr. Bagal shared this healing experience with her friends, they expressed interest in having their own children take yoga classes.
“I thought surely there must be some place in Ridgefield,” Dr. Bagal said, but her search for an existing kids’ yoga class was fruitless. As she considered her own desire to contribute something “unique and beneficial” to the community, as well her desire to spend more time with Bivek, Yoga for Kids was born.
Dr. Bagal hopes to expand her class offerings at the Ridgefield School of Dance as demand increases. She teaches additional classes at the Ridgefield Academy and may also soon begin teaching at the Boys & Girls Club in town.
Dr. Bagal may be contacted at 273-4806 or yogaforkids@gmail.com.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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